Tuesday September 30
So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner.
Paul writes from a dungeon. Cold. Dark. Chained. Forgotten by Rome but not by Christ. This is no rented house. No visitors at will. Only a hole in the roof. Food lowered down in a bucket. Death drawing near. Yet his pen burns with gospel fire.
He exhorts Timothy. Do not be ashamed. Not of Christ. Not of Paul. Not of the chains. Timothy is timid. Young. Surrounded by opposition. Nero blames Christians for the fire of Rome. Believers dipped in tar. Set ablaze. Hung as lamps in the emperor’s gardens. Fear would have been natural. Shame understandable. Silence expected. But Paul will not allow it.
The gospel itself is at stake. Christ crucified. A Saviour who died the death of a criminal. And Paul—His herald—languishing like a criminal himself. Who would believe such a message? Who would embrace such a messenger? Many would turn away. But Paul urges Timothy to stand. To lift his voice. To refuse shame.
This is no different today. The gospel still offends. Christ still divides. His cross still exposes human pride. Preaching Him faithfully will bring mockery. Derision. Rejection. Trouble. Yet we are called to embrace the gospel unashamed. To confess Christ openly. To identify with His servants boldly.
Brother… Sister… Expect trouble. Do not be surprised. Do not shrink back. For God has not given us a spirit of fear. He has given us power. Love. Sound judgment. The gospel remains the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Why then should we be ashamed? Why then should we be silent?
Behold. Christ bore shame for you. He endured the cross. He despised its shame. He now sits enthroned. Thus take courage. Speak with boldness. Stand with the faithful. Expect trouble. Embrace the gospel.